This is the shocking moment an American tourist launches a crazed attack - after his flight was delayed.

Rondey Phillips, 49, had been on a ''golfing holiday'' and was due to catch a plane from Thailand to the U.S. but it was delayed until Sunday morning.

He allegedly grabbed a sign-board being used by driver Surasak Areephan, 48, who had stepped outside the check-in foyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

The cabbie said he returned and took back his sign but Phillips started following him. Phillips rugby tackled Surasak from behind before pulling his hair and repeatedly slamming his head into the ground in an unprovoked attack.

Security guards broke up the attack and Phillips fled the area but was caught and arrested. Surasak suffered a fractured right arm and refused to accept compensation to settle the dispute.

Surasak explained: ''I was holding the sign to collect a passenger from the airport to the hotel.

''This man just grabbed the sign-board and wouldn't give it back to me.

''He then grabbed me and threw me on the floor.''

The incident happened on April 15.

Phillips was held in custody for legal procedures and a court hearing later this week, said airport authorities.

This is the shocking moment an American tourist launches a crazed airport rage attack - after his flight was delayed.

Rodney Phillips, 49, had been on a ''golfing holiday'' and was due to catch a plane from Thailand to the U.S. but it was delayed until Sunday morning. He allegedly grabbed a sign board being used by driver Surasak Areephan, 48, who had stepped outside the check in foyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

The cabbie said he returned and took back his sign but Phillips started following him. Phillips rugby tackled Surasak from behind before pulling his hair and repeatedly slamming his head into the ground in an unprovoked attack at 5.30 am.

Security guards broke up the attack and Phillips fled the area but was caught and arrested. Surasak suffered a fractured right arm and refused to accept compensation to settle the dispute. He insisted that Phillips be prosecuted.

In a mediation meeting with an interpreter, he told Phillips: ''If somebody you never know did this to you, how would you feel?''

Speaking after: ''I was holding the sign to collect a passenger from the airport to the hotel. This man, he just grabbed the sign board and took the paper. I said 'hello, can you give me back'. He did not give back to me. He looked crazy, like he was drunk or on drugs. My arm just brushed against his, then he grabbed me and threw me on the floor. I never met him before. I do not know who he is and I don't know why he did this to me.''

Phillips was held in custody for legal procedures and a court hearing later this week, said airport authorities.